Christian unity must be seen in daily life: Anglican Bishop

More than 200 participants, including priests, nuns, seminarians, novices and lay faithful gathered at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart to celebrate the Week for Christian unity.

Pakistan

January 23 2014, 6:07 PM

Christian unity must be seen in daily life, Anglican Bishop Emeritus Manu Romal Shah of Peshawar said during an ecumenical assembly in Lahore’s Catholic Cathedral last Sunday. "Whatever religious freedom we have in Pakistan, it is important that we make our unity visible," he said.

More than 200 participants, including priests, nuns, seminarians, novices and lay faithful gathered at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart to celebrate the Week for Christian unity.

Bishop Shah recalled the September 22 suicide bomber attacks on the All Saints Church in Peshawar. "Christians across the country expressed great solidarity and helped the victims through visits, prayers and financial support. But we do not need these incidents or difficulties to show our unity; it should be strong even in times of peace and well being", he said.

The Catholic Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw of Lahore, who hosted the meeting, spoke of a "new Pentecost", appreciating and accepting "the differences of every denomination". Archbishop Shaw said, "When we accept the Lord as our creator, then we can easily get closer to each other, because we identify ourselves as his creatures. I hope that we can rediscover and strengthen our relations, in order to be effective witnesses with the faithful of other religions in Pakistan."